So Fine ? Jake Kiszka

? conclusion: twenty five ?

"So," he began. "I know you're exhausted, but Mom made plans for a party... at our house." Their house. They had moved into it after they fixed some of the rotting wood and iffy stairs. The patio was beautiful, and thankfully, it wasn't too much money. Jake had friends everywhere, apparently.

Delilah chuckled, "Of course she did. And let me guess, my mom was part of it too."

"..yes."

"Well, alright. But I won't be much fun."

"All I want is for you to be there, even if it's just sitting on the couch, sleeping."

They made it to the house, and everyone was already there. "Sheesh, they really want to party." Jake chuckled, helping her out of the car. She groaned, feeling stiff. "I hate sitting in the car."

"I can always carry you?"

"Wait until our wedding night, love."

"Yes, Darlin'."

They entered, getting a sudden surprise attack from everyone. "Congratulations!"

Even though she knew they were there, she was not expecting that. She put a hand on her heart, falling into Jake, "What are you trying to do, give me a heart attack?" They all laughed, Ronnie coming up and giving her a hug. "You do know that I don't know if I'm cancer free?"

Ronnie shrugged, "So, we just wanted to celebrate that this is your last treatment. Let us do that."

Delilah huffed, "Weelll alright."

Arlo was next holding her by the waist. She kept him close as the rest of the family hugged her. Jake cut in, "Alright, let's move to the backyard."

The whole group left except her mother and a tall, silver haired, buff man. She wanted to know exactly who he was to her mother. So, she kept her eyes narrowed at him but smiled at her mother. "Mom."

"Oh, sweetie." she gave her a big hug squeezing her. She gave her mom a kiss on the cheek. "How are you feeling?"

"A little sick. The anesthesia kicks my butt." She laughed softly, and watched her mom's face fall. The man rubbed her mother's back.

"It's okay, love." He said to her. "You're kicking cancers butt, and that's what matters."

Delilah agreed. "Um, who are you?"

"Oh!" Daisy exclaimed, "how stupid of me."

"You're not stupid." Delilah said quickly.

"Um, this is Keane. My boyfriend." Delilah lifted her eyebrows in surprise. She looked at him then back to her mother.

"Oh.." She then put her narrowed eyes back on Keane. "And has he been treating you alright?" She crossed her arms.

Keane smiled, his blue eyes glistening with humor. "Delilah," her mother scolded in embarrassment.

"Yes," he answered. "I hope anyways." He looked at her mother with a softened look and Delilah knew it was true, especially the way Daisy looked back at him.

"You have been. I'm happy." Delilah could see that too.

"Well, good." She didn't drop her act. "If you ever hurt my mother, I'll make you regret ever meeting me. I have ways..."

"I'll hold you to it, Delilah." He answered, holding his hand out for a shake.

"Welcome to the family." She grabbed it, shaking it.

"Let's go eat," Daisy suggested, pushing the two forward. Delilah sat next to Jake and Ronnie. She was surprised to see Jocelyn and they made eye contact. Jocelyn gave her a smile and raised her glass towards her. Delilah did the same. Life was too short to keep grudges.

The dinner party went off without a bump in the road, or a panic attack. Everyone was laughing and happy. She wanted that moment to last forever. Jake stood up suddenly, and she gave him a questioning look. "I know you wanted to keep it a secret a little longer, but I think this is a perfect moment."

Delilah nodded, a little nervous. He cleared his throat, and slowly, people stopped talking. He held his hand out for Delilah and she stood next to him, with his arm around her shoulders.

"We have something that we would like to tell you."

"You're pregnant!" Josh yelled out. Jake glared at him before shaking his head. Delilah giggled.

"No, Josh. But, we're engaged."

Her mother gasped, as did some of the other girls. The guys whooped. More congratulations were in order. She looked at Jake and he looked at her. She gave him the sweetest smile and he answered with a soft kiss.

This was her happiness.

She had finally found it.

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end

so fine

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